The mission of the Cassie & Friends International Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology is to provide training to PhD researchers in the field of pediatric rheumatology and to support future investigative careers in the improved understanding of rheumatic diseases.

The rheumatic disease family is a collection of multiple diseases that include the more commonly known juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), rarer conditions like vasculitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the more recently characterised autoinflammatory diseases. Despite genetic and phenotypic differences, all rheumatic diseases are characterized by relapsing and remitting episodes of pain and inflammation. They provide a clear example of morbidity and disability that results from immune dysregulation and uncontrolled inflammation. One of the major challenges in the management of childhood rheumatic diseases is to balance the risks associated with therapy against the risks associated with either under-treating aggressive disease or over-treating less aggressive disease. This is particularly problematic in children as there are few, if any, treatments that are specific and safe for a growing child.

The successful candidate will lead investigative efforts towards the improved understanding of immunological mechanisms of childhood rheumatic diseases that will aid diagnosis and therapeutic decision making.

The fellow will be offered an appointment through the University of British Columbia (UBC, Vancouver, BC) Department of Pediatrics. The initial term will be for 1 year commencing no later than Jan 2018, with a possibility for extension for a second year. Research will be conducted at the British Columbia Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHRI, also in Vancouver, BC) under the supervision of Dr. Kelly Brown. This is a highly collaborative research environment and the candidate will interact regularly with clinicians and scientists in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at British Columbia Children’s Hospital.

Eligibility Requirements:

At the time of the application or by the award start date, the applicant must:

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or foreign national

Have completed a PhD within the past 3 years in a relevant field of study

Note: Justified career interruptions (e.g. parental or medical leave) will be taken into consideration.

Note: Prior to the start of the award, successful PhD applicants must provide proof of degree completion. If unable to provide proof of degree completion, the award offer will be withdrawn.

Preference will be given to candidates experienced in immunological techniques (including flow cytometry, ELISA and qPCR) as evidenced by a strong publication record in immunology and/or rheumatology. The candidate must display strong interpersonal skills and be effective communicating and working in a team environment.

Application Requirements:

Interested applicants should compile a cover letter, CV, and two letters of reference into a single PDF and email to Dr. Kelly Brown at kbrown@bcchr.ca with the title ‘C&F Fellowship Application’. Reference letters may be from a PhD supervisor, mentor or an expert in your area of research that is outside of your host institution.

Applications will be received until Monday November 6th, 2017 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time Zone.

About Cassie & Friends Society

Funding for the fellowship is provided by Cassie & Friends: A Society for Children Affected by Juvenile Arthritis and Other Rheumatic Diseases (http://cassieandfriends.ca). Cassie & Friends is a Canadian charity dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families affected by Juvenile Arthritis (JA) and other pediatric rheumatic diseases. Founded by two parents in 2007, Cassie & Friends has earned recognition as a trusted home for those living with these painful and sometimes devastating conditions, both in BC and across Canada. To date, over $1.5 million has been raised for JA support, care, education and research, including high-profile partnerships with BC Children's Hospital, the University of British Columbia, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and SickKids Foundation to find better and more effective treatments for kids.

The Division of Pediatric Rheumatology is located on a 46-acre campus that is home to the British Columbia (BC) Children’s Hospital (BCCH), Canada’s largest full-service child health centre, and to the BCCH Research Institute (BCCHRI), the largest research institute of its kind in Western Canada. First and foremost, the Division provides diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents in BC with rheumatic diseases; these diseases include chronic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile dermatomyositis, scleroderma, vasculitis, autoinflammatory diseases and other less common inflammatory diseases. Research is an integral part of the clinical and academic mission of the Division. Members of the Division are leaders in the development of Canadian and North American pediatric multi-centre clinical research cohorts in juvenile arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis. In addition, Division members are active collaborators in Canadian, North American, and international pediatric rheumatology research groups. Dr. Brown is the Division's first full-time basic scientist, and is a key player in creating the best evidence-based care for children and youth in BC that are affected by rheumatic diseases. Trainees under Dr. Brown’s supervision have unique opportunities to work on priority clinical issues in rheumatology and obtain a true bedside-bench-bedside approach for patient-oriented health research.